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Healthy Snowball Cookies Recipe

4.1 from 78 reviews

These Healthy Snowball Cookies are a delightful, low-sugar treat made with almond flour and finely chopped walnuts. Soft, buttery, and coated in powdered icing sugar or erythritol, these cookies offer a satisfying crunch and a melt-in-your-mouth texture while keeping the recipe wholesome and suitable for those seeking a healthier dessert option.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 1/3 cup butter (softened)
  • 2/3 cup icing sugar or powdered erythritol (+ 2 tbsp more for coating)
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups almond flour
  • 1 tbsp warm water or milk
  • 3/4 cup walnuts (finely chopped)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F (163 degrees C) and line a large baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
  2. Prepare the butter and sugar mixture: In a large bowl, combine the softened butter and icing sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat them together until the mixture is smooth and well blended. Add the vanilla extract and beat just until incorporated.
  3. Form the dough: Add the almond flour to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix using a spatula and then finish mixing by hand to form a cohesive dough. If the dough feels crumbly or dry, add 1 tablespoon of warm water or milk to help it bind properly.
  4. Add walnuts: Stir in the finely chopped walnuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
  5. Shape the cookies: Scoop approximately 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball with your hands. Place each ball onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart since these cookies will not spread during baking. Continue until all dough is used.
  6. Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for about 12 minutes. Remove the cookies just before they start to brown to retain their delicate texture. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
  7. Coat the cookies: In a small bowl, place 2 tablespoons of icing sugar or erythritol. While the snowball cookies are still warm, roll each cookie in the powdered sugar to coat it evenly. This gives the cookies their classic snowy appearance.
  8. Cool completely: As you finish rolling each cookie, transfer it to a cooling rack to cool off fully, ensuring they set perfectly and develop their signature crumbly texture.

Notes

  • Use unsalted butter softened to room temperature for best mixing results.
  • For a keto-friendly version, use powdered erythritol instead of icing sugar.
  • If almond flour is not available, finely ground blanched almonds can be used as a substitute.
  • The walnuts can be replaced with pecans or hazelnuts according to preference.
  • Cookies do not spread, so placing them close together will not cause them to bake into each other.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Keywords: Healthy snowball cookies, almond flour cookies, low sugar cookies, walnut cookies, holiday cookies, gluten free cookies